Lees eyes Everest top
IN Her Time is one of the early race favourites, Graff has the X-factor, Le Romain is the big-race specialist – and the trio all handle rainaffected tracks.
Kris Lees trains all three sprinters and seems to have the bases covered going into the $13 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Lees said the likelihood of a heavy track for The Everest shouldn’t pose too many difficulties for his three sprinters.
“In Her Time has won on soft going in The Galaxy, but I think the track was worse than the (official) rating (soft 6) because it was downgraded after the race,’’ Lees said.
“Graff gets through the heavy although he would probably prefer a soft track.
“He did run well in the heavy in the Run To The Rose (second to Lean Mean Machine), but I’m not sure he was all that comfortable in the going. He’s only got 53kg so that will help.
“As for Le Romain, he’s a warhorse and loves it wet.’’
Le Romain is the rank outsider of The Everest field at $21 but Lees said the threetime Group 1 winner is a definite winning chance.
The Everest market changed slightly yesterday with Santa Ana Lane, Trapeze Artist and Vega Magic sharing favouritism at $7 while Shoals eased slightly from co-favouritism to $7.50.